Carolina Solar Services

Carolina Solar Services

Carolina Solar Services Reviews

Carolina Solar Services Customer Reviews

4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars (based on 4 reviews)
Excellent75%
Very good0%
Average0%
Poor0%
Terrible25%

Carolina Solar Services Reviews

Company Overview

Since 2014

Years in businesss

4.1

Expert rating

NC

State availability

20-year product warranty

Warranty

No information

Solar brands

No information

Financing options

Best Choice, Local Expert

Acknowledgement

Experienced installer

Expertise

No information

BBB Rating

No information

SolarReviews rating

Quick Summary

  • Overall Rating: Carolina Solar Services has received various ratings. On Indeed, it has a rating of 3.0 based on 5 reviews. On the B Impact assessment, it earned an overall score of 80.0.
  • Years in Business: Carolina Solar Services was founded in 2014.
  • Areas Served: The company operates in the United States, with its headquarters located in North Carolina.
  • History: Carolina Solar Services was founded by Zack Hobbs in 2014 with a focus on electrical and vegetation maintenance services for North Carolina PV power plants. Since then, it has expanded its service territory to five states and added other clean technology assets like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Electric Vehicle (EV) fast charging.
  • Mission Statement: Carolina Solar Services provides solutions for renewable energy systems to support a sustainable future. As stewards of the environment, the CSS team maximizes the impact of every power plant they service through an independent and human-focused approach.
  • Warranty Options: We couldn’t find specific information about the warranty options offered by Carolina Solar Services.
  • Solar Panel Options: We couldn’t find specific information about the solar panel options offered by Carolina Solar Services. The company likely offers a variety of solar panels to meet the needs of different customers.
  • Payment Options: While we couldn’t find specific information about the payment options offered by Carolina Solar Services.
  • BBB Rating: We couldn’t find a specific Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating for Carolina Solar Services.

*Please note that this information is based on the latest available data and may have changed.

Company gallery

Customer reviews 

May 10, 2023

Great team and great place to work. I have learned so much about solar and teamwork while working with CSS; they really do offer best-in-class utility-scale solar O&M services. Excited for what the future holds!

Anonymous
Verified
May 10, 2023

These people will harass all day they have called me 17 times in one day trying to get me to buy their products people stay away from this company. Response from the owner a year ago I think you may have us mixed up with another company. Carolina Solar Services does not sell products. We are a utility-scale solar operations & maintenance service provider. If you give us a call at 919-808-5285 we will be glad to help you sort this out.

linwood123s
Verified
May 10, 2023

Great customer service.

Keith Chesnutt
Verified
May 10, 2021

This company sets the standard in solar energy maintenance. Complete site maintenance.

Jaime Hudgins
Verified

​

Expert review

What customers think

Carolina Solar Services has received a mix of reviews from customers. Here’s a summary of what customers have to say:

Positive Reviews

  • Customers have appreciated the company’s helpful staff, high-quality offerings, and fair prices.
  • Some customers have praised the company’s professionalism, knowledge, and dedication to customer satisfaction.
  • One customer mentioned that they have been extremely pleased with all the work that Carolina Solar has done for them. The technicians were very professional and personable.
  • Another customer mentioned that the problems with the schedule were not any problem with the contractor. It had to do with The City of Myrtle Beach Building Department and them having to figure out on dealing with solar installation.

Negative Reviews

  • Some customers have voiced concerns about the company’s delayed response times, unfinished installations, and lack of clarity in their interactions.
  • One customer mentioned that there were some discrepancies between what was agreed beforehand and what was actually installed.

On the rating side, Carolina Solar has an average rating of 4.06 based on 3 reviews. The breakdown of consumer reviews is as follows:

  • Sales Process: 4.7
  • Price as quoted: 4.5
  • On schedule: 5.0
  • After sales support: 4.5

Experience and Expertise

  • Carolina Solar Services has nearly a decade of experience with clean energy assets. The company maintains over 780 megawatts of solar assets across 10 states, which range in size from 50 kW to 25+ MW. They have a team of 40 technicians who are dedicated to providing premium client service, maximum uptime, and reliability for every solar generator.
  • As for the qualifications of its staff, the company has a diverse team with various skills and experiences. For instance, they have job postings that require 5-7 years of solar and/or B2B technical sales experience, excellent customer service skills, and excellent written and verbal communication.
  • The company is also a B Corp and is verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. This indicates that the company values professionalism and ethical business practices.

Customer Service and Support

Carolina Solar Services offers a range of post-installation support and maintenance services to ensure that clean energy assets operate effectively and for their expected life. Here are the types of services they offer:

  1. Field Maintenance: The CSS team provides rapid response preventative and corrective maintenance for solar power plants, energy storage, and electric vehicle charging networks.
  2. Remote Operations and Analysis: This service likely involves monitoring the performance of the solar systems remotely and analyzing the data to identify any potential issues or areas for improvement.
  3. Special Projects: While the specifics aren’t mentioned, this could involve unique or complex projects that require specialized attention.

As an independent O&M provider, their team of technicians maintains over 780 MW of solar assets in the U.S. which range in size from 50 kW to 25+ MW. For all needs on the array side of the interconnection, they put boots on the ground and handle it with class-leading professionalism.

Local Knowledge

Carolina Solar Services, being a local company based in North Carolina, is likely to have a good understanding of the local regulations, rebates, and solar incentives. Here are some key points:

Local Regulations

  • In North Carolina, a building permit is required for any construction, installation, repair, replacement, or alteration to a building or real property costing more than $20,000.
  • Separate trade permits are typically required if the project involves electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work.
  • The North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshall (OSFM), the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors, and the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors have provided guidelines on solar panel installation licensing and permitting.

Rebates and Solar Incentives

  • North Carolina offers several incentives for solar installations. One of the major incentives is the Duke Energy Solar Rebate Program. Residential customers receive 40 cents per watt, which averages to about $2,000 in savings for a typical 5 kilowatt (kW) system.
  • Commercial customers get 30 cents per watt, up to a rebate of $30,000.
  • Nonprofit customers get 75 cents per watt, up to a rebate of $75,000.
  • All North Carolina residents are eligible for the 30% federal solar tax credit on their tax returns.
  • North Carolina also offers statewide property tax exemptions, renewable energy financing programs, and net metering.

Installation Details

We couldn’t find specific information about whether Carolina Solar Services uses in-house teams for installations or outsources the work.

Reviews

Positive Reviews

  1. “Scheduling their work is quick and easy. Very professional. They were here as promised, on time. Work was completed quickly with no mess. We’ve had them tint multiple windows over the past year. Highly recommend them.”
  2. “Jeff and his team are always great to work with. Fast to respond and provide great products. I highly recommend using Carolina Solar.”
  3. “Fast, friendly, and talented installers! Setup and cleaned up nicely- used top grade film!”

Negative Reviews

We couldn’t find any negative reviews for Carolina Solar Services from the sources you mentioned. It’s possible that there may be some out there, but they weren’t immediately available in my search results.

*Please note that these reviews are based on the latest available data and may have changed. For the most accurate and up-to-date reviews, I recommend visiting the respective platforms directly.

Source

Areas served

The company has a presence in North Carolina in Durham.

Services Offered

  • Electrical Services: They provide electrical services to keep PV systems at their peak performance.
  • Performance Engineering: They provide custom solutions for client needs.
  • Special Projects: They undertake special projects related to solar energy.
  • Livestock Services: They have a unique biological vegetation management solution involving a flock of 590 sheep, ensuring efficient and environmentally friendly maintenance of solar farms.
  • Landscaping Services: They offer landscaping services for solar farms.
  • UAV Services: They capture unique insights to enhance PV performance through their UAV services.

Brands Sold

Carolina Solar Services is dedicated to providing premium client service, maximum uptime, and reliability for every solar generator. However, the specific types of solar panels, inverters, and batteries they offer, as well as any brand partnerships, are not explicitly mentioned in the sources we found.

Licenses & Certifications

  • State Licenses: In South Carolina, the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (LLR) requires licenses and certifications for solar installations. The specific licenses required depend on the type of installation (residential or commercial), whether the system is roof-mounted or ground-mounted, and if additional structural framing members are required. Each local city, town, or county may also require a business license to conduct business within that jurisdiction. However, we couldn’t find specific information about the state licenses held by Carolina Solar Services.
  • Industry Certifications: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-recognized certification in the solar industry. NABCEP ensures solar installers have the knowledge and skills to meet the demands of renewable energy projects and employers across the world. However, we couldn’t find specific information about whether Carolina Solar Services holds a NABCEP certification.
  • Insurance Details: We couldn’t find specific information about Carolina Solar Services’ insurance details.

Warranty

Product Warranty: Carolina Solar Services uses solar panels from various manufacturers, and the warranty terms can vary. For example, REC Group, a well-known solar panel manufacturer, offers a comprehensive ProTrust warranty for their products. This includes:

  • A 25-year warranty for product, performance, and labor for installations up to 25 kW.
  • Systems between 25-500 kW have the same 25-year product and performance warranties, plus a 10-year labor warranty.
  • All panels come standard with a 20-year product warranty.
  • REC’s performance warranty ensures that REC panels perform exactly as expected – every year for 25 years.

Installation Work Warranty: Carolina Solar Services’ installation work is backed by a personal guarantee of satisfaction. Additionally, professional installation qualifies you for a full factory 3M warranty and a performance guarantee.

Payment & Financing Options

  • Solar Loans: Solar loans allow you to finance the purchase of your solar system over time. This can be an attractive option because it allows you to own your system and take advantage of all available tax credits and incentives. While we couldn’t find specific information about Carolina Solar Services offering solar loans, many solar installation companies do offer this option.
  • Leases: Leasing allows you to “rent” the solar energy system for a set period of time with no money down. You generally pay a fixed monthly rate no matter how much energy the system produces each month. The monthly rate may increase each year. However, we couldn’t find specific information about whether Carolina Solar Services offers solar leases.
  • Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a financial agreement where a developer arranges for the design, permitting, financing, and installation of a solar energy system on a customer’s property at little to no cost. The developer sells the power generated to the host customer at a fixed rate that is typically lower than the local utility’s retail rate. This could be a viable option depending on the state regulations. However, we couldn’t find specific information about whether Carolina Solar Services offers PPAs.

Contact Information

Phone Number(s): (919) 808-5285

Email: info@carolinasolar.services

Local Offices Addresses: 2544 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC, 27707

Headquarter Address: 2544 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, North Carolina, 27707

Our Recommendation

Carolina Solar Services, a Durham-based company, has been making waves in the solar industry. But how does it fare when it comes to customer satisfaction, service quality, and overall reliability? Let’s delve into the details.

Customer Reviews: A Mixed Bag

Customer reviews for Carolina Solar Services are generally positive, with an average rating of 4.06 out of 5. Customers have praised the company’s helpful staff, high-quality offerings, and fair prices. However, some customers have voiced concerns about delayed response times, unfinished installations, and lack of clarity in their interactions.

On Indeed, the company has a rating of 3.0 out of 5, with some employees praising the company’s positive environment and benefits, while others have raised issues about management and work-life balance.

Industry Recognition: A Certified B Corporation

Carolina Solar Services is a Certified B Corporation, a testament to its commitment to social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. The company earned an overall score of 80.0 on the B Impact assessment, significantly higher than the median score of 50.9 for ordinary businesses.

Service Quality: More Than Just Solar Panels

Carolina Solar Services offers more than just solar panel installations. They also provide other services like solar batteries or EV chargers, which can appeal to homeowners looking for comprehensive environmental solutions.

Our Verdict: A Solid Choice with Room for Improvement

Based on customer reviews and industry recognition, Carolina Solar Services appears to be a reliable solar installer in North Carolina. Their commitment to social and environmental responsibility, as evidenced by their B Corporation certification, is commendable.

However, the mixed customer reviews indicate that there may be room for improvement, particularly in terms of communication and project completion. Potential customers are advised to clarify all aspects of their solar installation project with the company before proceeding.

While Carolina Solar Services has its strengths and weaknesses, it remains a solid choice for anyone considering a solar installation in North Carolina. As always, we recommend doing thorough research and obtaining multiple quotes before making a decision.

Head Office Location

Carolina Solar Services
2544 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd Durham, NC 27707

Local Offices

Social Links

Featured Video

gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==

REVIEWED BY

Solar Energy Consultant

Find Installers In Your City

Find the best solar installers in North Carolina in one click. Start your journey to savings today!

Solar Companies by City

  • Winston-Salem

    29 installers

  • Wilmington

    30 installers

  • Raleigh

    35 installers

  • North Carolina

    70 installers

  • New Bern

    33 installers

  • Lexington

    13 installers

  • Greensboro

    40 installers

  • Garner

    34 installers

  • Fayetteville

    36 installers

  • Durham

    42 installers

  • Charlotte

    50 installers

  • Cary

    36 installers

  • Asheville

    41 installers

  • Arden

    33 installers

Solar 101 for North Carolina

Access a comprehensive guide to understanding solar power options, benefits, and regulations specific to North Carolina.

North Carolina net metering guide

Learn how you can offset your electric bill in North Carolina by sending surplus solar energy back to the grid.

Are solar panels worth it in North Carolina?

Explore the financial and environmental benefits of installing solar panels in North Carolina.

Can you get free solar panels in NC?

Discover options for no-cost or low-upfront-cost solar panel installations through various programs and agreements in North Carolina.

No data

No data

0 sqft